Data centers are the engines of our modern digital infrastructure, and they’re expanding at a staggering rate. Today, highway-oriented spending on these same projects has ballooned into the hundreds of billions. Yet this rapid expansion has faced massive pushback and protests across the state by… Americans are rightfully worried about the environment and the health hazards that these facilities pose to communities located near them. As the data center industry finds itself at the centre of this momentous trend, it is facing obstacles that could derail its long-term expansion.
Over the course of the last year, these activists have protested in all 50 states. They are rightfully raising a ruckus about the environmental effects caused by data centers. Many communities fear that these facilities, while essential for data processing and storage, could lead to increased energy consumption and higher local electricity bills. Future rising electricity costs are likely largely due to the AI gold rush in these centers. This trend may play a large role in determining voter sentiment in this election cycle, especially the important 2026 midterms.
In their home base of Michigan, 16 other locations are already under active consideration for new data centers. Local residents are expressing strong opposition. Protesters have voiced their discontent, stating, “Michiganders do not want data centers in our yards, in our communities.” This sentiment is very much indicative of a growing trend as community members increasingly push back against the siting of these facilities in their communities.
Community activist Danny Candejas reminded the crowd that this is a moment of rising anger towards data centers. He stated, “I don’t think this is going to stop anytime soon,” indicating that public opposition is likely to continue. Candejas further expressed that he anticipates more successes in halting proposed projects: “I think it’s going to keep building, and we’re going to see more wins—more projects are going to be stopped.”
The recent experiences of Wisconsin offer yet another example of grassroots community resistance. In a David vs Goliath victory, locals recently convinced Microsoft not to set up a massive new 244-acre data center in their community. This cumulative victory has emboldened activists. Especially given the current economic hardships these communities face, they’re now asking for the positive benefits of these expensive projects to be demonstrated.
Now in Southern California, the small city of Imperial Valley has sued to block a proposed data center project. The city filed a lawsuit to overturn its county’s approval of the project, citing environmental concerns as the primary rationale. These legal battles highlight the doubts about the economic and other benefits data centers claim they will provide.
Many experts – including some in Gov. Ongoing protests and legal actions are stoking this uncertainty. Environmental regulations, local community opposition, and other challenges would quickly stymie these projects’ advancement.
The climate and energy impacts Data center industry has quickly and dramatically accelerated growth in direct response to the rising demand for digital services. Infrastructure Despite only being around for five years, this rapid-fire expansion has quickly catapulted it into the national spotlight. Now, it’s under attack as much as ever. Communities are still wrestling with the fallout from these facilities. They continue to be gripped by uncertainty about the long-term impacts on their communities and local economies.
Candejas articulated a common concern among community members: “So many of us are struggling month to month. Meanwhile, there’s this huge expansion of data centers… [People are wondering] Where is all that money coming from? How are our local governments giving away subsidies and public funds to incentivize these projects when there’s so much need in our communities?”